Lipophilic Vitamins in Health and Disease

The concept of "vital amines" as essential nutrients was introduced over a century ago by Dr Casimir Funk. It was suggested that there is a family of organic substances that are required in minute amounts and essential for life. The increase in incorporation of vitamins and supplementation in routine dietary practices is expected to increase. In fact, it has been estimated that 60% of worldwide consumers are taking vitamin supplements on a daily basis, a trend that will most likely rise across the world.

This book brings together international experts in the field of vitamins for human health and disease, to update and integrate current understanding on the effects of different lipophilic vitamins on cellular, metabolic and molecular biochemical reactions with respect to different pathophysiological conditions including cardiovascular disease, cancer, metabolic defects, inflammatory and immune diseases. This book is uniquely positioned as it focuses on the biochemistry and molecular biology of lipophilic vitamins in diverse cell systems in relation to human health and disease.

The book will certainly stimulate and motivate biomedical researchers and scientists to further explore the relationship between lipophilic vitamins and biological processes, as well as serve as a highly useful resource for nutritional investigators, health professionals, medical students, fellows, residents and graduate students. We hope that the reader will gain knowledge and further understanding of the importance of lipophilic vitamins. The novel insights provided by the contributing authors will assist in advancing preventive medicine worldwide as well as bring forward knowledge that may help in the use of lipophilic vitamins as adjuvant to therapeutic strategies for human disease.